Polishing pads



June 21, 1966 G. HE KEN 3,256,547

POLISHING PADS Filed Sept. 30, 1963 INVENTQR HAROLD G. HENCKEN.

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent v 3,256,547 POLISHING PADS Harold G. Heucken, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to American Felt Company, Glenville, Conn., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Sept. 30, 1963, Ser. No. 312,690 6 Claims. (Cl. 15230.12)

The present invention relates to the art of polishing .plate glass, and particularly to a new and improved comthese bent-up edges, thereby securely holding the felt pad to the polishing head. Such felt pads also have been secured to the polishing head by a cementing process employing hot pitch or other similar adhesives.

The bent-up corners of prior known polishing pads provide a point of weakness, and the pads often tear at such corners, rendering them useless long before the normal life of the felt has been consumed. Furthermore, such square pads require a high percentage of unusable felt in the bent-up corner portions.

Cementing felt pads directly to the iron polishing head isunsatisfactory because the down time of a polishing machine to effect replacement of such a pad is excessive. It involves the removal of an adhering pad from a polishing head, the cleaning of the head, the applying of fresh adhesive to the head, and the application of a new felt which requires a predetermined curing time before the polishing machine can be restarted. When it is considered'that there are many polishing heads in one machine and that felt replacement usually is necessary to less than the total number of heads at a time, it becomes apparent that rapid replacement of felts is an essential requirement.

An important object of this invention is to provide a combined felt pad and attaching means for the heads of glass polishing machines which can be replaced with a minimum of down time of the polishing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a felt and attaching means which will substantially reduce labor costs in replacing the same.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a felt and attaching means in which a minimum of felt is required for maximum polishing action.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a felt and attaching means which may be disposable.

In one aspect of the invention, a glass polishing head may comprise a circular, relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof. A polishing pad may be removably attached to the face of the metal disk and it may comprise a relatively thick disk of felt of a diametersubstantially equal to that of the metal disk forming the head.

In another aspect of the invention, a plurality of tabs may be fixed to the face of the felt disk adjacent to the metal head, and these tabs may extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of the felt disk.

In still another aspect of the invention, the tabs may be made from a two-ply, semi-cured neoprene rubbercoated canvas which may be vulcanized to the top surface of the felt disk, and can be bent upwardly from the felt disk and securely clamped to the peripheral edge of the metal head disk by strap means or the like.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the tabs may be cut from a strip of the rubber-coated canvas in such Patented June 21, 1966 fashion that two sets of tabs can be cut from the same strip, with the tabs of each set extending in opposite die rections from a thin base strip, which latter is notched intermediate successive tabs. Before separating the sets of tabs, they will be arranged in nested fashion as cut from the strip of rubber-coated canvas.

In still another aspect of the invention, aset of tabs as cut from the strip may be arranged to form a polygonal figure and may be vulcanized to the upper surface of the felt pad such that about one-half of each tab extends radially beyond the periphery of the felt pad.

In still another aspect of the invention, a plurality of bracing straps made from the rubber-coated canvas may extend between different sides of the polygonally arranged set of tabs, and they too may be vulcanized to the' felt disk.

In still another aspect of the invention, the tabs may take the form of chevrons, and/or back-up pads may be attached to each pad to provide greater strength and abrasion resistance for the back of the tab at the point where they are clamped to'the, peripheral edge of the metal disk comprising the head.

-The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a sectional elevation view of a glass polishing head to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2'is a plan viewof a felt disk to which a set of tabs is shown attached;

FIG. Sis a view of a strip of material from which the sets of tabs may be cut;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a felt disk to which a set of tabs of different form from those of FIG. 2 is shown as being attached; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a felt disk to which a set of tabs of another form is shown as being attached.

Referring to FIG. 1, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a glass polishing head including a relatively thick metal disk 10 having a spindle 11 attached to one face thereof. A felt disk 12 having a diameter substantially equal to that of the disk 10 may have a plurality'of tabs 13 fixed to one surface thereof. The tabs 13 may extend radially beyond the periphery of the felt disk 12 and may be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of the disk 10. Clamp means in the form of a ring 14 may surround-the periphery of the disk 10 and may clamp the tabs 13 against the peripheral edge of disk .10.

Referring to FIG. 3, a strip 15, which may be a twoply, semi-cured neoprene rubber-coated canvas, may have two sets of tabs 13 cut from it, each set extending from a relatively narrow base 16 with the tabs 13: of each set extending in the opposite direction. V-notches 17 having 45-degree angles may be formed medially between successive tabs 13 of each set and along the outer edges of the strip 15.

Referring to FIG. 2, a strip of tabs 13 may be arranged in the form of a polygonal figure on the top surface of the felt disk 12 when the notches 17 are closed, so that the V side walls thereof contact each other. Additionally, bracing straps 18 and 19 may extend from different faces of the polygonal figure to others, and the entire assembly may be subjected to a vulcanizing process leaving about half of each tab extending outwardly beyond the periphery of the felt disk 12. These outer free ends of the tabs 13 may be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of the metal disk 10, and may be securely held thereto 'by the clamping band 14.

Referring to FIG. 4, sets of two angularly arranged tabs 20 may be arranged like a chevron, and the apices of the chevrons may be joined by bracing straps 21, 22 similarly to straps 18, 19 of FIG. 2. The angular arrangement of tabs 20 lessens the tearing action of the tabs when the felt polishing disk 12 is subjected to its rotary action during normal use,.and provides abrasion resistance for the back of the tab.

Referring to FIG. 5, additional back-up pads 23 may be attached to the overhanging portions of the tabs 13. The back-up pads may be made from hair felt and may be of a thickness in the order of about /8 to A1, inch.

Further, if desired, grommets or the like (not shown) could be inserted in the tabs so that ,wire, bands or other tieing means could be inserted in place of the band 14.

Although the various features of the invention have been shown as applied to several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a polishing head construction for glass polishing machines, a head including a relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof; a polishing pad adapted removably to be attached to the opposite face of said disk comprising a felt disk having a diameter substantially equal to that of said metal disk; a relatively narrow base, said base being provided with a series of tabs, said base and tabs being made from a rubber-coated fabric arranged about, and vulcanized to the one face of said felt disk and having tab portions extending radially beyond the perimeter of said felt disk, said base substantially forming a ring whereby said extending tab portions can be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of said metal disk; and means around the peripheral edge of said metal disk for holding said upwardly bent tab portions securely to said metal disk.

2. In a polishing head construction for glass polishing machines, a head including a relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof; a polishing pad adapted removably to be attached to the opposite face of said disk comprising a felt disk having a diameter substantially equal to that of said metal disk; a series of tabs made from a rubber-coated fabric arranged about, and vulcanized to the one face of said felt disk and having tab portions extending radially beyond the perimeter .ofsaid felt disk, whereby said extending tab portions can be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of said metal disk; strap means surrounding the peripheral edge of said metal disk for clamping said upwardly bent tab portions securely to said metal disk; and straps made from said rubber-coated fabric extending getlzveen opposed tabs and vulcanized to said tabs and felt 3. In a polishing head construction for glass polishing machines, a head including a relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof; a polishing pad adapted removably to be attached to the opposite face of said disk comprising a felt disk having a diameter substantially equal to that of said metal disk; 2 series of tabs made from a rubber-coated fabric arranged about, and vulcanized to the one face of said felt disk and having tab portions extending radially beyond the perimeter of said felt disk, whereby said extending tab portions can be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of said metal disk; strap means surrounding the peripheral edge of said metal disk for clamping said upwardly bent tab portions securely to said metal disk; and felt pad means attached to each of the tab portions extending beyond the periphery of said felt disk.

4. In a polishing head construction for glass polishing machines, a head including a relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof; a polishing pad adapted removably to be attached to the opposite face of said disk compnising a felt disk having a diameter substantially equal to that of said metal disk; a series of tabs made from a relatively thin, strong fabric arranged about, and securely fastened to the one face of said felt disk and having tab portions extending radially beyond the perimeter of said felt disk, whereby said extending tab portions can be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of said metal disk; strap means surrounding the peripheral edge of said metal disk for clamping said upwardly bent tab portions securely to said metal disk; and straps made from said relatively thin, strong fabric extending between opposed tabs and securely fas- .tened to said tabs and felt disk.

5. In a polishing head construction for glass polishing machines, a head including a relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof; a polishing pad adapted removably to be attached to the opposite face of said disk comprising a felt disk having a diameter substantially equal to that of said metal disk; a series of tabs made from a relatively thin, strong fabric arranged about, and securely fastened to the one face of said felt disk and having tab portions extending radially beyond the perimeter of said felt disk, whereby said extending tab portions can be bent upwardly'along the peripheral edge of said metal disk; strap means surrounding the peripheral edge of said metal disk for clamping said upwardly bent tab portions securely to said metal disk; and felt pad means attached to each of the tab portions extending beyond the periphery of said felt disk.

6. In a polishing head construction for glass polishing machines, a head including a relatively thick metal disk having a spindle attached to one face thereof; a polishing pad adapted removably to be attached to the opposite face of said disk comprising a felt disk having a diameter substantially equal to that of said metal disk; a series of tabs made from a rubber-coated fabric arranged about, and vulcanized to the one face of said felt disk and having tab portions extending radially beyond the perimeter of said felt disk and arranged in a chevron pattern, whereby said extending tab portions can be bent upwardly along the peripheral edge of said metal disk; and strap means surrounding the peripheral edge of said metal disk for clamping said upwardly bent tab portions securely to said metal disk.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 407,249 7/1889 Rogers 5l379 1,332,896 3/1920 Hoffman 1S230.12 1,908,355 5/1933 Hodgkins 51378 3,013,366 12/1961 Becker 15230.12 3,137,022 6/1964 Cooke et al. 15-230 DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A POLISHING HEAD CONSTRUCTION FOR GLASS POLISHING MACHINES, A HEAD INCLUDING A RELATIVELY THICK METAL DISK HAVING A SPINDLE ATTACHED TO ONE FACE THEREOF; A POLISHING PAD ADAPTED REMOVABLY TO BE ATTACHED TO THE OPPOSITE FACE OF SAID DISK COMPRISING A FELT DISK HAVING A DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THAT OF SAID METAL DISK; A RELATIVELY NARROW BASE, SAID BASE BEING PROVIDED WITH A SERIES OF TABS, SAID BASE AND TABS BEING MADE FROM A RUBBER-COATED FABRIC ARRANGED ABOUT, AND VULCANIZED TO THE ONE FACE OF SAID FELT DISK AND HAVING TAB PORTIONS EXTENDING RADIALLY BEYOND THE PERIMETER OF SAID FELT DISK, SAID BASE SUBSTANTIALLY FORMING A RING WHEREBY SAID EXTENDING TAB PORTIONS CAN BE BENT UPWARDLY ALONG THE PERIPHERAL EXGE OF SAID METAL DISK; AND MEANS AROUND THE PERIPHERAL EDGE OF SAID METAL DISK FOR HOLDING SAID UPWARDLY BENT TAB PORTIONS SECURELY TO SAID METAL DISK. 